Up Front: Led by 20-year-old Anthony Bardaro, the Raiders return several of their top guns from last season. Bardaro broke out for 36 goals last season, splitting the year between Prince Albert and Spokane, and will be counted on to post similar numbers this season. 19-year-old Mark McNeill should be in line for a dominant season after putting up 63 goals and 152 points over the last two seasons combined, while 18-year-old Mike Winther is hoping to build on his own breakout year last year where he netted 32 goals. German rookie Leon Draisaitl, the second overall pick in the 2012 CHL Import Draft, should be able to fill a top scoring role after starring for Germany’s Under-18 team. 18-year-old Logan McVeigh is also capable of stepping into a much bigger role this season. Look for the likes of Shane Danyluk and Jonas Knutsen to add scoring depth for what should be a pretty solid group up front for the Raiders.

On The Blue Line: The Raiders return four regulars from last year’s club, and have added a few new faces to the fold as well. 17-year-old Josh Morrissey excelled as a rookie last season, scoring 10 goals and 38 points. A highly-regarded prospect for the 2013 NHL Draft, Morrissey has the skill and smarts to be one of the WHL’s elite offensive blue liners. Also back is veteran Antoine Corbin, who provides good two-way play and leadership. 19-year-old shutdown defender Harrison Ruopp and 18-year-old Sawyer Lange are also back from last season, while the Raiders acquired 18-year-olds Shayne Gwinner and Riley Guenther over the summer to add depth to the blue line and help the team improve what was the 21st-ranked penalty killing unit last year. The Raiders added even more depth and size when they acquired veteran Evan Morden from the Everett Silvertips.

Goaltending: The Raiders acquired a pair of new netminders prior to the season’s start. 20-year-old veteran Luke Siemens came over from Moose Jaw during the offseason, giving them a bona fide No. 1 goaltender. Siemens got into 55 games last season for the Warriors, posting 35 wins and a solid .907 save percentage, and helped the team reach the 2012 Eastern Conference championship series. 18-year-old Andy Desautels was acquired from Everett for last year’s starter, Cole Holowenko, just after pre-season play finished. Desautels, who played with Siemens in Everett, will help ease Siemens’ workload this season.

Player to Watch: Josh Morrissey

The Raiders’ first-round pick, sixth overall, in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, Morrissey burst onto the scene in Raiderland with a terrific 16-year-old campaign last year, scoring 10 goals and 38 points in 68 games. He also turned heads with his strong performance for Canada at the Under-18 level. A smooth skater with great passing skills, vision and patience, Morrissey is a dynamic two-way defenceman who can quarterback a power play, play smart defensive hockey and make that crucial first pass out of the zone. The Calgary, AB, product worked hard on his defensive game last season, and figures to be the go-to guy on the Raiders’ blue line this season.

Post by Wapitikev on Oct 11, 2012 18:49:43 GMT -5

You (and likely others) may not know this, but the main WHLFans board that was hacked back in August is back up, now, and is safe to use.

Just an invitation from your friendly neighborhood Raiders mod to hang out with a bunch of other Raiders fans at www.whlfans.ca. (I'm likely the only Raiders fan that drops in here on the replacement board, anymore).

You will have to go through the hassle of making another account if you want to post there, but I hope you can join us.